Learning the host country’s language and finding a job are important steps for the societal integration of refugees. Especially language proficiency is a key barrier for integration. Often language training and gaining work skills are separated during the integration procedure. We investigated a 1-year pilot program for refugees with low-language proficiency in the Netherlands, which combined language training (daily classes, work-related language) with work experience in sheltered employment (second-hand shop) to facilitate language learning and prepare this group better for the labour market. Building on Ager and Strang’s conceptual integration framework (2008), we expected that this combined program should improve agency (communication strategies, preparedness for the labour market) via intergroup contact at work. We used a mixed-method approach to follow the development of participants. We gathered questionnaire data, interviewed teachers and students, and observed interactions in classes and at work. Overall, use of communication strategies increased. Analyzing individual cases (profiles) offered nuanced insights into for whom and why the program seems to have a different impact, especially in terms of labour market preparation. We discuss results and the importance of creating intergroup contact to facilitate integration in a new society.
The Citizens Information page titled "Supports for Ukrainians in Ireland" provides a range of information for refugees from Ukraine, including:
Website: www.citizensinformation.ie
Before the 2022 war, over 1 million Ukrainians lived legally in Poland, but Russia’s invasion brought around 1.5 million new Ukrainian refugees. By September 2023, 970,000 Ukrainian refugees remained in Poland under temporary protection. This paper analyzes data from a 2022 survey comparing pre-war and forced Ukrainian migrants to understand how to support the economic integration of the latter. The two groups differ in gender, age, family status, employment-seeking methods, and work aspirations. Despite 66% of respondents having tertiary education, only 30% of refugees spoke Polish, highlighting the need for language training. The study recommends providing language courses and employment support to help refugees find jobs matching their qualifications.
Survey results show that recent refugees are mainly highly educated women with children, unlike pre-war Ukrainian migrants, who were primarily economic workers in lower-skilled jobs. Poland’s 2022 Act introduced long-term integration support, but implementation remains a challenge. The study supports migration self-selection theory, showing that economic migrants and refugees experience different labor market trajectories. Language courses are widely accepted, but full economic integration of Ukrainian refugees faces public resistance. Some refugees are moving to Germany, likely due to better wages and welfare, rather than safety concerns. To foster integration, Poland needs national and local strategies to inform society about refugees’ contributions and encourage businesses to hire them.
The study by Gremi Personal shows that for 39% of Ukrainians, salaries are the main motivation for looking for work in Poland, while for 27%, it’s the lack of employment in Ukraine. Despite a year and a half passing since the outbreak of the war, Ukrainians continue to search for work in Poland in large numbers. Before the war, most came for a short period and then returned to Ukraine, but now their approach has changed, and they are more demanding when it comes to working conditions. Many people are striving for more qualified positions or retraining, which has become a new trend. The study also indicates that some Ukrainians treat Poland as a transit country, planning to move on to Germany, the Netherlands, or Canada. Ukrainians appreciate Poland for its cultural and linguistic proximity and the large number of their compatriots. Good salaries are important for 13% of respondents, and 11% believe that living in Poland is cheaper than in other European countries. For 9%, the Polish language is easier to learn than other foreign languages. When choosing a job, Ukrainians prioritize salary, comfort at work, and location. Less important are convenient working hours and career development opportunities. The study shows that Ukrainians working in Poland are increasingly expecting higher positions and better conditions, and their approach to work is becoming more professional. For many, Poland is a transit country that provides stability until further migration. Additionally, Ukrainians’ preferences when choosing a job mainly focus on wages and comfort at work, rather than flexible hours or promotion opportunities. They also value Poland for its relatively lower cost of living compared to other European countries. Some Ukrainians who have already settled in Poland are taking courses and gaining new skills to improve their qualifications and secure better jobs.